Chapter 74
Chapter 74
Chapter 74
Unintended Variables (2)
With even the Emperor's support secured, there was nothing left to obstruct them.
All the cards were now in place—the only thing remaining was to devise and execute the plan.
'Indeed, this would be the best way to lure those bastards out of the capital.'
Rudian's finger, as he studied the map, pointed to a specific location.
A place not far east of the capital.
It was precisely where the demons' stronghold lay, and where Eldorado—Adi's first terminal—slumbered.
"This place... Is the demons' main base?"
Sonya and Vincent's expressions darkened as they looked at the spot Rudian had indicated.
"Yes, we've already completed all the confirmations."
Thousands of demonic beasts hidden beneath the village, and demons thoroughly disguised among the inhabitants.
"I know this place too. I visit it once or twice a year for vacation and leisure..."
"They say it's darkest under the lamp, this must be exactly what that means."
Several nobles participating in the meeting expressed disbelief, but when Sonya and Vincent showed their support, the objections quickly died down.
"If we strike this location, the Demon Kings will have no choice but to emerge from the capital. Therefore, the assault on this place will be carried out exclusively by the absolute elite of the elite."
Rudian continued his explanation.
"And naturally, an unavoidable battle will also unfold here in the capital after they've departed. The casualties that occur in that battle will depend on the roles of those who remain."
"Of course."
"If we can't even manage this much, we should return our titles."
The nobles present nodded and burned with enthusiasm.
They were those who had helped create the Empire's history alongside the ducal houses.
Though their individual power might not be supreme, they at least possessed the minimum qualifications to participate in this meeting.
"To minimize casualties, all participating personnel must strike the enemy stronghold in perfect coordination under a single command structure."
"A single command structure, you say?"
Naturally, there needed to be a commander to lead the remaining forces.
Since Duke Sonya Bellatrix would obviously need to participate in the assault on the demon headquarters due to her abilities, everyone naturally thought of Vincent's name.
However, Rudian's gaze was directed not at Vincent, but at Luciella sitting right beside him.
"I would like Princess Luciella von Delphione to assume overall command of the capital's forces."
"...What?"
Every noble present started in shock and voiced their opposition.
"You mean me?"
Even Luciella, who had been nominated, looked at Rudian with surprise.
While everyone expressed disbelief, only Rudian showed confident certainty.
He could guarantee that there was no commander superior to her in this room.
No matter how much time remained before Chapter 2 began—well over ten years—her talent as a commander wasn't something that could be obscured by her young age.
She was the very person who had led the remnants against the Psychic Luminous that had once destroyed the Morian Empire, continuing resistance after resistance until she finally cornered the mastermind Maria and overturned the entire situation.
"Yes, if it's the Princess, she will undoubtedly accomplish this task magnificently."
Of course, before the Empire's destruction and her gathering of the remnants, she had never once led an army.
She had simply crushed others' experience and years of service with overwhelming talent.
"......"
Surprisingly, Luciella didn't immediately refuse but was contemplating.
Did she too think inwardly that this was something she could handle?
In that situation, Vincent unexpectedly raised his hand to express his support.
"That would be good as well."
"Your Grace?"
"...Vincent, are you in your right mind?"
The nobles and Sonya expressed their doubts, but Vincent was sincere.
"Luciella has sufficiently proven her abilities while leading the information guild. Even without military experience, I can guarantee that her ability to command people is superior to anyone else's."
"Hmm!"
"Certainly..."
The incident where the previous Duke had passed the information guild leader position to Luciella rather than Vincent before his death had been a major topic of conversation among the great nobles who knew the circumstances.
"Luciella, do you think you can do it?"
At Vincent's quiet question, Luciella answered with a gentle smile.
"If you would entrust it to me."
"Good."
With these words, Luciella's appointment as supreme commander was finalized.
Several nobles who desired glory seemed to harbor dissatisfaction, but they too would change their minds once they experienced Luciella's command.
Moreover, with her in command, they could draw out 100% of the information guild's capabilities—this was an additional advantage, making this the optimal personnel choice.
After the general framework was established and rough discussions about details were concluded, the meeting finally ended.
Only Rudian, Sonya, Gray, Vincent, and Luciella remained.
"I never expected Lord Rudian to recommend me."
"Princess, I'm certain you'll be able to do it well."
"Hehe, alright. I'll try to live up to your expectations!"
Luciella clenched her small fists lightly and struck a fighting pose.
The sight was so adorable that Rudian almost reflexively reached out to pat her head...
'If I did that, Vincent wouldn't let me off easily.'
Rudian, barely suppressing that impulse, mentioned the reason why he and Sonya had remained after the meeting ended.
"Duke Vincent."
"Speak. You must have something to say since you stayed behind."
"Thank you. Then I'll ask directly. His Majesty said that the one who first brought the demons to the middle world was not a black magician, but the Delphione Duke from two generations ago."
"Is that so...?"
Surprisingly, Vincent didn't panic but calmly met Rudian's gaze.
In contrast, Luciella, hearing this fact for the first time, stood up abruptly in shock.
"Wh-what...! Father?"
Rudian briefly told Vincent about what had happened with the Emperor.
"That's correct. My grandfather... The ancestor from two generations ago coveted the imperial throne and brought in black magicians to open a Demon Gate. As a result, numerous demons flowed into this world, and the butterfly effect of that has led to the current situation."
"Did you also know that Demon King-level entities had crossed over?"
"I didn't know that. My predecessor only told me that there were no Demon King-level entities among the summoned demons. I knew that some of them had disappeared without a trace, but apparently they managed to summon a Demon King after all."
Certainly, if Demon King-level entities had crossed over from the beginning, it would have been a massive incident worthy of being recorded in history, and the Delphione family would have been completely destroyed without leaving a single foundation stone.
Of course, summoning demons itself was a capital crime...
Vincent calmly continued recounting the secret history of the past.
"There's nothing else. My father devoted his entire life to erasing the predecessor's disgrace, but one generation wasn't enough to atone for that sin, so I inherited that burden. I was planning to tell Luciella this fact when she inherited the family, but it was revealed earlier than expected."
The great-grandfather Duke who had summoned the demons had his head taken by his own son—Vincent's father, the previous Duke.
And the Delphione family, which had been a renowned house of swordsmanship holding great wealth, donated numerous businesses and assets to the imperial family, and from then on, the wealth gap with the Bellatrix family widened rapidly.
Sonya was tremendously angry upon hearing this fact.
"Madness. It's a miracle that Delphione still maintains its family name!"
"I agree. Without the mercy of the previous Emperor, our family would have been erased from the noble registry long ago."
Luciella still maintained a pale expression as if the shock hadn't subsided, and Sonya fumed for a while before finally storming out of her seat.
"......"
Rudian maintained silence in the awkward atmosphere and fell into thought.
'Was that really all there was to it?'
No matter how much the previous Emperor had forgiven them, and no matter how much they had devoted themselves to atonement through generations... The crime committed by the great-grandfather Duke Delphione was far too great.
'It seems like there's something more... Something that involves not just Delphione but someone else...'
Only that would explain why the Delphione family still maintained their influence.
To conclude arbitrarily would be premature—this was merely circumstantial evidence with no concrete clues yet.
'If I had to guess, it would be something related to Death Knight Simir Dran and the holy sword Daylight...'
But there was no time to delve into this.
Moreover, there was no point in dragging up past events.
KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!
After Sonya and Gray had left, the gloomy atmosphere needed some fresh air.
"Come in."
In such a situation, the appearance of someone with business was welcome.
Rudian tilted his head at the identity of the person who suddenly appeared.
"Head Butler Jester?"
"Yes, Master."
The person who appeared was none other than Jester, the head butler of the Belstad family dispatched from Delphione.
"What's the matter?"
"You need to return to the main house urgently. A guest has arrived."
While it was good that he could naturally leave this atmosphere, the mention of a ‘guest’ inevitably raised questions.
For Jester to come here personally despite knowing about the meeting meant it was either a great noble or someone who had to be met regardless of everything else.
"Who is it?"
"...Young Lady Sitri Belstad."
"......"
She was certainly someone worthy of Jester coming here.
However, at this unexpected visitor's arrival, Rudian felt a headache coming on and frowned.
***
"Making your younger sister wait, what a rather rude older brother you are."
Sitri Belstad... No, Asmodeus's single remark was enough to make a vein pop on Rudian's forehead.
"...Who said you were my younger sister?"
"Oh my, I'm that person's adopted daughter. And you're that person's adopted son. Since you're older and inherited the head position, doesn't that make you my older brother?"
Of course, he had entered as Gude's adopted son in name only to inherit the title, but having this woman who knew everything act this way only made him feel disgusted.
"Just tell me why you came."
Until now, Rudian had been the one unilaterally handling her, but given the current timing, he had no choice but to be cautious this time.
Asmodeus stared at Rudian with a mysterious gaze, then suddenly blurted out:
"Have you become comfortable with revealing your power?"
"...I can't appear to be at the same level forever, can I? Still, to have a decent social position in the human world, I need the modifier of 'genius.'"
Even as he spoke, Rudian put all his effort into maintaining his composure.
Asmodeus had instantly seen through what kind of abilities Rudian possessed.
"Well, fine. As long as you abide by our agreement, I have no particular interest in how you appear to the outside world."
Fortunately, she seemed to have lost interest in Rudian's appearance.
Going from merely Expert beginner and intermediate levels to suddenly exhibiting Sword Master power in just a month would logically suggest that the opponent had been concealing their strength rather than actually growing.
"I'll ask again. What's the reason for your sudden visit?"
"You're impatient. Well, fine, I don't have much leisure either."
Asmodeus sipped the tea Jester had served and opened her mouth.
"The place you set as your initial starting point before coming to the capital—that was the Iskar territory, correct?"
"That's right. Did you come just to ask about that?"
"Not exactly."
She slightly furrowed her delicate eyebrows, then let out a deep sigh.
"Our agreement is still valid, right?"
"Why do you keep dragging this out?"
"Answer properly."
"That's right. As long as you don't stab me in the back first, it's valid."
At Rudian's confirmation, she finally got to the point.
"Sigh, then I'll ask directly. Does your Adora organization have anyone who has currently established themselves in the Iskar territory?"
'...Huh?'
What kind of strange nonsense is this now?
Rudian concealed his expression and fell into deep thought.
Why would she suddenly say something like that?
But no matter how much he thought about it, he couldn't think of any reason.
"No."
So he answered without much consideration.
At Rudian's words, Asmodeus raised her voice slightly and pressed:
"Really? Stake your existence on it, swear that there isn't."
"Why are you being so persistent? Is there something I don't know about?"
"If you swear it, I'll tell you."
What is this really?
To say she had simply come to shake him up, Asmodeus's expression was quite serious.